NOVEL NEXT Chapter 93.2
Did You Have A High Level Of Education In Reading, Writing, And Arithmetic?
Camille shouted, and Yuuri responded with a carefree smile. While the apprentices doubted and called it a lie, Jake simply murmured, looking convinced. He casually picked up the partially completed problems Yuuri was solving, confirmed all answers were correct, and then spoke.
“Is arithmetic considered basic knowledge in your homeland, Yuuri?”
“Yes. Reading, writing, and arithmetic, with basic calculations as the foundation.”
“I see, I see. That’s truly wonderful. Just being able to read, write, and perform basic calculations makes life much easier. People can get by without knowing national histories or the outcomes of wars, after all.”
“…?”
Yuuri and the apprentices looked at Jake in confusion as he suddenly began a serious discussion. Jake nodded to himself, and then began a speech. But they all decided to ignore him. When Jake got into his lecture mode, it was best left unbothered, as he would continue even if no one was listening.
Watching the apprentices diligently working on their assignments, Yuuri addressed Magg, who was struggling with his writing. Unlike Urgus, who was tutored at home, or Camille, who learned arithmetic due to his family business, Magg, who had grown up in the slums, likely hadn’t had a chance to study academics.
“Magg, how have you managed reading and writing until now?”
“…I can read.”
“You could read but couldn’t write?”
“Correct.”
Magg, who was carefully copying down letters, wore his usual near-expressionless face. Yakk watched him with curious interest; stories of people from different backgrounds were naturally intriguing.
“If you can’t read, you get deceived.”
“…Huh?”
“They’ll cheat you on payments.”
“…Oh, yeah.”
“Reading is important.”
“…Yeah, it really is important, isn’t it?”
Hearing Magg’s solemn words, the four were reminded again that Magg’s experiences lay in a world very different from their own. Urgus sighed, Camille looked away, and Yuuri and Yakk gave awkward, dry laughs.
“Well, it seems that many adventurers who just came from rural areas can’t read or write properly.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. That’s why the Adventurer’s Guild has people at the reception to help with writing.”
“So then, does that mean Yakk is actually quite skilled?”
“Before I was taught here, I could only read and barely write my own name.”
“I see.”
“Yep.”
Hearing Camille’s matter-of-fact statement, Yuuri blinked in surprise, realizing again that reading and writing was not easy here. This made him feel quite fortunate, thanks to his translation ability from the transfer correction. Quite lucky, indeed.
“Yakk, where did you learn to read and write?”
“At the church.”
“The church?”
“Yes. The priest teaches basic reading, writing, and arithmetic!”
“Huh, so the church serves as a kind of school.”
Yuuri nodded, understanding. In this world, there didn’t seem to be schools for teaching basic literacy and math to the common people. Instead, churches may have taken on the role of providing necessary knowledge. Yuuri felt relieved, realizing that not everything here followed a strict skill-based hierarchy, as he had first assumed.
“Though, I’ve heard that there are people who can’t even learn the basics at church.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. In some remote villages, there isn’t even a church.”
“What?”
“Right. In places without a church, village leaders often perform blessings and funerals instead.”
“Wow, the world really is big.”
Hearing more details about this world, Yuuri gazed into the distance, feeling once again that he was indeed in a different world. There was so much he didn’t know. He was also acutely aware of how safe and civilized modern Japan was in comparison. However, if he were asked if he disliked this world, he would answer no. Yuuri was enjoying his life here, after all. …Perhaps it was odd he hadn’t felt homesick at all, this girlish young man.
“We’re lucky to be taught so many things here.”
“Camille?”
“Yeah. Normally, we wouldn’t be taught so much.”
“Urgus?”
“Basics are important.”
“Magg?”
“Once the Guild’s beginner training ends, there aren’t many places that offer this level of guidance!”
“…So, you all really like Scarlet Lynx, huh?”
“Bingo!”
In short, their unexpected willingness to work hard in academics showed just how much they appreciated Scarlet Lynx. Yuuri thought it would be easier if they just admitted their fondness from the start, but maybe it was hard for young boys to be so honest. …No one corrected Yuuri that he, too, was about their age—since it was all happening in his own mind.
It goes without saying that Ali’s wrath eventually found Jake, leaving him struck by his thunderous scolding for leaving Yuuri to supervise the apprentices’ study session. It was business as usual.